Method and means for using low-compression fuels



Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

L THOMAS MIDGLEY, JR., DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNR ASSIGNMENTS, TO

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, OF DELAWARE.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 01? METHOD AND MEANS FOR USING LOW-COMPRESSI ON FUELS.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS MIDGLEY, J r., a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at. Dayton, county of Montgomery, and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods andMeans for Using Low-Compression Fuels, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to the art of suppressing a fuel knock when acombustible gaseous mixture containing a low compression fuel, such, forexample, as kerosene and gasoline is burned under a relatively highpressure. Theprincipal object of this in vention is to employ arseniccompounds to suppress the fuel knock.

This application is a continuation in part )f my copending application,Serial No. 533,- 270, filed April 15, 1922.

Kerosene has a critical compression pressure of about pounds. Thecritical compression pressure of gasoline varies from about pounds forthe commoner forms now marketed to about 125 pounds for avia tiongasoline employed in airplane engines. These fuels are termed lowcompression fuels. When the vapors of any one of them is mixed with air,compressed to a compression pressure in excess of the normal criticalcompression pressure of the fuel, and burned, as in aninternal-combustion engine, a fuel knock is produced.

I have found that vapors of arsenic compounds added to the fnel-airmixture suppress this fuel knock and permit'an increase in the enginecompression pressure with a normal burning characteristic of the fuel.

By way of an example of one method of carrying out my invention, Idissolve 260 c. c. of triethyl arsine as(C H in 1 gallon of gasoline,having a normal critical compression pressureof about 75 pounds. Thissolution or high compression fuel is fed through a carburetor into thecylinder of Application filed September 18, 1923. Serial No. 663,496.

an internal-combustion engine having a compression pressure of aboutpounds, the solution being vaporized and mixed. with a r as is commonpractice in engine operation. The gaseous high compression fuel isignited and the engine operated without a fuel knock. The gasoline formsthe fuel base and the arsenic compound increases the criticalcompression ressure of this base.

This process may e vareid by changing the proportions according to theincrease in critical compression pressure desired and by using otherarsenic compounds in place of the diethyl arsine. Among the compoundswhich may be substituted for diethyl arsine are other alkyl compoundsincluding trimethyl arsine, and triphenyl arsine.

I prefer to employ the arsenic compounds which are soluble in the fuelto promote the mixing of the two. Blending agents may be employed if thearsenic compound does not-dissolve readily in the fuel. The

compound may be added to the fuel-air mixture just before the latter isburned.

I claim:

a 1. A composition of matter comprising a low compression fuel; and avolatile arsenic compound incorporated therein and adapted to increasethe critical compression pressure of the fuel.

2. A composition of matter comprising a low compression fuel,' such askerosene or gasoline; and a volatile alkyl compound of arsenicincorporated homogeneously therein and adapted to increase the criticalcompression pressure of the fuel.

3. A composition of matter comprising a low. compression fuel; and avolatile ethyl compound of arsenic incorporated therein.

4. A composition of matter comprising gasoline; and triethyl arsine.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

THOMAS MIDGLEY. .1...

